Trump and Putin Set for Critical One-on-One Meeting in Alaska

The highly anticipated one-on-one meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to commence on Friday morning in Alaska. This encounter will take place at 11:30 local time, which corresponds to 3:30 p.m. in Washington, D.C., and 9:30 p.m. in Brussels. The meeting is primarily focused on pressing issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, the initial phase of the meeting will feature only the two leaders and their translators. Following this private discussion, broader talks will involve their respective delegations, culminating in a working breakfast. The Russian delegation will include key figures such as Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, and Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, who is responsible for addressing Western sanctions against Russia. They will be joined by Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian sovereign wealth fund, and Ushakov himself.

Key Topics on the Agenda

The primary focus of the meeting will be the resolution of the “Ukrainian crisis,” building upon discussions that have previously taken place between the Kremlin and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. Ushakov emphasized that the agenda will also cover trade, economic cooperation, and global security issues, underscoring the multifaceted nature of the discussions.

“The time of the meeting will depend on how the discussion goes,” Ushakov stated. “There are, of course, time parameters, but the negotiations will start and end based on the presidents’ discussions.” He further noted that the Russian delegation would depart the United States immediately following the conclusion of the talks.

A joint press conference is expected to take place at the end of the summit, where both leaders may provide statements regarding the outcomes of their discussions. As the world watches, this meeting presents a crucial opportunity for dialogue between the two leaders amid heightened tensions in international relations.